Meet Faculty College students Who Studied Overseas in Costa Rica

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When you’re fascinated about a mix of full of life Latin tradition, lovely pure landscapes, and ample tutorial {and professional} alternatives, Costa Rica is likely to be the right examine overseas program vacation spot for you. AIFS Overseas gives quite a few examine and intern overseas packages in San José, the nation’s capital. Finding out or interning overseas on this Latin American capital metropolis permits you to earn credit score in direction of your diploma and construct your resumé, all whilst you reside like a neighborhood and immerse your self within the welcoming tradition. On the weekends, you’ll be able to spend your free time exploring the nation—visiting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, mountain climbing up volcanoes for spectacular views, or getting down to the jungle looking for distinctive wildlife. Need to study what it’s really wish to examine overseas in Costa Rica? 

Hear from three school college students who studied overseas in Costa Rica with AIFS Overseas! 

Mary: Spring in San José 

Do you know that you simply don’t have to attend till you’re an upperclassman to check overseas? Many underclassmen examine overseas with AIFS Overseas yearly. Mary, a biology main and public and international well being minor from Wayne State Faculty, studied overseas in Costa Rica through the spring semester of her sophomore yr. 

Mary selected to reside in a homestay in Costa Rica; under, she shares a few of the advantages of this immersive housing possibility: 

“I’m dwelling with a bunch household so I get all of my breakfast and dinners supplied for me… I’ve cherished the whole lot my host mother makes, and I like gallo pinto (a standard Costa Rican breakfast dish). The recent fruit right here can also be superb!… I completely love dwelling with a bunch household—I can confidently say it’s my favourite half about being overseas. My host mother and pa are so candy, and I’ve simply discovered a lot about Spanish and the tradition that I might not be capable to with out them.” 

Mary not solely cherished her time along with her host household, however she additionally deeply appreciated the assist of the on-site AIFS Overseas employees in San José: 

“I like the Costa Rica Program Director, Karla! She’s so useful with the whole lot and at all times there for us! … The AIFS workplace… is only a tremendous shut stroll from campus—simply a few minutes. And it’s an amazing place the place you’ll be able to hang around with pals [and] take a look at the cultural actions AIFS has; I work on homework, typically I eat lunch right here, you’ll be able to discuss with the superb employees, and it’s only a very nice, secure area to have.” 

For anybody fascinated about studying Spanish overseas, Costa Rica is an outstanding selection. Whereas AIFS Overseas doesn’t require you to talk or study Spanish for a lot of of our packages, we do supply Spanish programs, together with intensive Spanish packages at a few of our program locations, which Mary describes under: 

“I’m doing an prolonged semester, which is 16 weeks as an alternative of 12 weeks for the common semester. The final month, I will probably be taking an additional Spanish course after the common semester when college students go dwelling… I didn’t know very a lot Spanish earlier than I acquired right here. I had taken courses in highschool, however I had forgotten loads, so I used to be a bit nervous. Nonetheless, I took an intensive Spanish course the primary month, which helped a ton, and I’ve discovered a lot from dwelling with a bunch household. You positively don’t should be fluent [in Spanish] to check in Costa Rica, and also you study very quick!” 

Mary took three different courses along with her Spanish Intensive programs. To sum up her class expertise in San José, she stated the next: 

“I actually take pleasure in all of my courses and love the best way my professors genuinely care about college students’ studying!” 

Jolina: Summer season in San José 

Meet Jolina, a nursing scholar and FEA Recipient Grant awardee from California State College, Chico, who did a summer season examine overseas program in San José. 

As a nursing scholar who’s obsessed with overcoming language obstacles within the U.S., selecting to check overseas in Costa Rica was a simple choice for Jolina. Along with being a Spanish-speaking nation, Costa Rica is famend for its wonderful healthcare system. Under, she explains her choice in additional element: 

“I’ve labored at hospitals [in the U.S.] the place there’s restricted entry to translation companies, and I’ve seen how language obstacles pose important challenges in healthcare. Sufferers could wrestle to precisely describe their signs or perceive their analysis and therapy. You will need to ship equitable and culturally delicate care to all sufferers, whatever the language they communicate. I got here to Costa Rica with the intention of studying medical Spanish and bettering my earlier data of Spanish.”  

Native Costa Ricans, known as “Ticos,” are identified for being welcoming and prioritizing their well-being. Under, Jolina describes how studying about their tradition positively formed her outlook on life: 

“Ticos prioritize the ‘pura vida’ life-style, that means they reside a ‘pure life.’ The ‘pura vida’ lifestyle focuses on discovering stability and dwelling modestly. It additionally entails sturdy connections with pals, household, and the group. Along with the ‘pura vida’ mindset, Ticos comply with a nutritious diet, an lively life-style, and stress-reduction practices. This was fascinating to study, and I adopted this cultural perspective whereas right here. It’s superb how the Ticos prioritize a balanced, constructive mindset.”  

In Costa Rica, private well-being and environmental well-being go hand-in-hand, making it a really perfect location for anybody fascinated about fields associated to public well being or conservation. Under, Jolina explains some sustainable practices she and different AIFS Overseas contributors adopted in Costa Rica: 

“Town itself was extremely walkable, which made it straightforward to scale back my carbon footprint. My college was only a 15-minute stroll away, and the closest grocery retailer was conveniently positioned across the nook, making it easy to reside an eco-friendly life-style with out the necessity for a automotive. I discovered myself strolling in every single place, whether or not it was for errands, meals, or exploring town, which not solely helped me keep lively but in addition aligned with the nation’s emphasis on sustainability. Once we did want to make use of transportation by the AIFS program, we made positive to prioritize sustainable choices. For instance, we used buses for our excursions, which helped decrease our environmental affect. Public transportation is a good way to cut back reliance on vehicles, and I appreciated how this system inspired us to participate on this sustainable follow.” 

Marie: Fall Examine + Internship in San José 

Marie from the College of Wisconsin-Whitewater did a Examine + Internship program in San José through the fall semester. A Examine + Internship is a novel program that mixes a standard examine overseas expertise with a part-time internship. This permits college students to take courses and earn credit towards their diploma whereas gaining precious skilled expertise. Hear Marie clarify the tutorial facet of her program: 

“I’ve taken 4 courses in complete right here whereas interning. I took Spanish my first month right here—I’m doing the prolonged semester, so I completed that up in September… I’m additionally taking Artistic Management Expertise, Worldwide Advertising and marketing Administration, in addition to Local weather Change. They’ve all been tremendous fascinating; there’s such a wide selection of courses, and I’ve completely cherished them. We’ve went on area journeys for many of them as nicely. 

In as we speak’s interconnected world, employers ceaselessly search for candidates with cross-cultural communication abilities—a ability you’ll usually follow when you intern overseas in Costa Rica. Under, Marie explains her part-time advertising internship in San José in additional element: 

“I’m additionally interning with the worldwide advertising division [at a university here], I do this 30 hours per week. It’s been actually rewarding… I’m normally engaged on the social media accounts in addition to fixing up any of the promotions within the faculty… I actually take pleasure in it. [My] supervisors are superb. I additionally get the chance to assist with greater occasions… in addition to a lot of the welcome actions. I additionally get an enormous function in planning… all of these issues, so it’s been tremendous enjoyable. Another internships listed below are for marine biology analysis, enterprise journey company, wildlife monitoring and conservation, human rights, social work, and first faculty. So many various choices… I actually, really take pleasure in it…” 

Under, Marie explains why she selected this Examine + Internship program in San José: 

“I’m only a basic advertising main, however with the Spanish minor, I’m hoping to journey [for work] sooner or later. Getting the hands-on expertise has actually benefitted me and added to my total expertise.” 

Hear Marie describe a few of her favourite issues about Costa Rica: 

“My favourite issues about Costa Rica are positively the locations I’ve gotten to see and the way I’ve really gotten to know extra about their tradition. The locations [I’ve visited] have been completely beautiful, the temperature is at all times tremendous good, too… I’ve cherished making an attempt out snorkeling and ziplining; these are two issues I’ve by no means finished earlier than this. I actually can’t say there’s something I’d change about my expertise…” 

Uncover all Costa Rica has to supply—examine overseas in San José with AIFS Overseas like these school college students did! 

AIFS Overseas gives a variety of examine and intern overseas packages in Costa Rica, every tailor-made to fulfill particular tutorial, private, {and professional} preferences. Costa Rica gives distinctive alternatives to immerse your self in its unmatched magnificence, colourful Latin tradition, and welcoming communities. Wherever you examine overseas, go along with AIFS Overseas and make the most of our precious program inclusions (which actually take the stress out of planning!), reminiscent of housing, journeys and excursions, social and cultural actions, 24/7 emergency assist, complete insurance coverage, and the assist of our trusted on-site employees.